3 Exercises For Spine Movement

Your vertebral discs have almost no direct blood supply.

Our spinal column is made up of bones, or vertebrae, with squashy intervertebral discs sandwiched in between. The intervertebral discs do the important jobs of cushioning and adding extra protection, yet they have almost no direct blood supply rely on the surrounding tissue for nutrients.

One of the best ways to ensure the supply of nutrients is through moving the spine.

Varied movement is important.

When we think of a strong back we tend to think of a stiff, rigid spine and not a flexible one. So why is it important to develop varied movement in our spine? While it is important to have strength, the truth is we don’t spend the majority of our time in a perfect deadlift or squat position. We’re humans and as such, our daily lives can involve rounded backs, twisting, and other movements that aren’t often trained in the gym setting.

To create a more robust body, it is important to be strong in these varied positions too.

Move it or lose it.

Over time our bodies will adapt to whatever demands are placed on it. The flipside is the reverse holds true; anything we don’t use will be lost. A lot of us develop stiffness in our spines from long hours at the desk and other sedentary activities. With more than 20 moving parts to the spine it’s important to use them all and in each direction to ensure they can still function.

Otherwise we lose our ability to adopt optimal positions and run the risk of overuse and injury.

Try these exercises in your morning routine or pre workout warm up for a healthy and supple spine!